Attestation

[LennyH]

Having just got a copy of an ancestor’s Attestation Certificate, there are a few questions which perhaps someone could help me with.

The certificate was signed in Stockport on 10th December 1915. Towards the bottom of the document is a space where the Approving Officer also has to sign.

This was done on 15th May 1916 in Chester. The document states that the signature of the Approving Officer has to be done in the presence of the recruit. Would 15th May 1916 have been an actual joining up date or simply a date to witness a signing?

The certificate mentions “ Ches Reg R Batt”. Does this mean the Reserve Battalion of the Cheshires, which I think was the third battalion?

One of the questions asked is, “Did you receive a Notice, and do you understand its meaning and who gave it to you?” What Notice would that have been?

The person who gave the Notice signed himself as W Garman and belonged to the “P R” Corps. What corps would that have been?

Finally, written at the top of the certificate is the number 203485. Possibly another digit could have followed, it being a ‘Burnt Document’. Anyone know what it refers to? The number is different from an Army number I have for him, but that is assuming that the latter is correct.

Any help would be appreciated.

Len

[MelPack]

Lenny

Your man would have voluntarily enlisted under the Derby Scheme:

http://www.1914-1918.net/derbyscheme.html

in December 1915 and qualified for call up in May 1916.

He would have been inducted into the Reserves for training and from the six figure number added later, he ended up in one of the TF Battalions.

Regards

Mel

[Ron Clifton]

One of the questions asked is, “Did you receive a Notice, and do you understand its meaning and who gave it to you?” What Notice would that have been?

Len

The Notice referred to was more common pre-war. It set out what in modern civilian parlance would be called "Terms and Conditions of Employment." Every recruit was given one (or should have been - hence the question) so that he would know what he was letting himself in for before he actually signed up.

Ron

[LennyH]

Many thanks, MelPack and Ron Clifton, for your help on this. The answers are much appreciated.

Len